Poachers turning to KZN as KNP shuts them out

Environmental Affairs Minister, Edna Molewa said earlier that 529 rhino were poached across the country since the beginning of this year. 

That is compared to the 542 rhino during the same period last year. 

KZN Project Rhino's Chris Galliers says increased anti-poaching measures at the Kruger National Park mean poachers are now turning to KZN.

"This is the worst year that we have had in terms of rhino poaching and unfortunately this is the situation that we face as a result of the fortification in Kruger. A lot of the poaching syndicates have deflected to KwaZulu-Natal. We [are] probably about 20 rhinos less than the total figure from last year - so it's closing in on a 150 rhinos in that we've lost in KZN this year," he said. 

Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife says their fight against rhino poaching is an ongoing one. 

Meanwhile, a northern KZN police officer, suspected of poaching rhino, was killed in a shootout with police in Hluhluwe at the weekend. 

Three other suspects are receiving treatment under police guard following the gun battle on the R22 on Saturday. 

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National SAPS spokesperson, Vishnu Naidoo says officers received a tip-off about a group travelling from Melmoth to Hluhluwe to allegedly poach rhino. 

Naidoo says the vehicle was spotted and a high speed chase ensued.

"They tried to stop his vehicle but it was in vain because the driver of the vehicle sped off and they began shooting at the police which resulted in a shootout between the suspects and the police. The suspects' vehicle veered off the road. They are expected to face several charges which include unlawful possession of arms and ammunition, contravention of the Road Traffic Act and so on," he said. 

A hunting rifle with the serial number filed off, live ammunition, a silencer, pistol and two axes were also seized.

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